Mike Gannon, the new chief operating officer for Nexteer's Saginaw Division, takes that responsibility very seriously.

"The Saginaw Division has to be successful for the company to be successful," Gannon said. "I have 5,000 families counting on me."

In 2010, when Nexteer was on the brink of extinction, as Senior Vice President, Chief Strategic and Human Resources Officer, Gannon was part of the team that worked to align union contracts with buyer expectations, eventually leading to the successful sale of the company from General Motors to China's Pacific Century Motors.

Now, Gannon is part of the team running the Buena Vista Township-based steering and driveline business.

Since being a separate entity from GM, Nexteer, which makes parts for more than 60 customers, has booked more than $10 billion in new business. Drivers of the company's growth includes changing environmental demands as automakers work to meet tougher fuel economy standards. Nexteer's electric power steering or EPS, is lighter, helping deliver up to 6 percent fuel savings.

Gannon said Nexteer's owners, Chinese state-owned parts manufacturer AVIC Automobile Industry Holding Co. and Pacific Century Motors, are invested in Nexteer's future in Saginaw, and are proving it with further investment in the site.

A $500,000 revamp of the company's test track was just completed, and in October of 2011, Nexteer announced it would invest $150 million in its Buena Vista Township facility.

Gannon is confident, too, that when it comes down to choosing between Nexteer's Mexico or Saginaw operations for a $60 million investment that would create 325 jobs, Saginaw will come out on top.

Saginaw has an advantage as the skilled workforce is in place and the customer is nearby, Gannon said.

"I'm really confident about the future of the Saginaw site," Gannon said. "I want to make sure it's here another 100 years."

Gannon's presence and drive won't only be felt at Nexteer. In early 2013, Gannon, a Frankenmuth resident, will take over as chairman of the Saginaw Future board of directors.

"It's really a pretty exciting time in the Great Lakes Bay Region," Gannon said of the investment and growth taking place. "I want to grow businesses here and help diversify the local economy."